Ivan Slaughter Jr. was born in Bethany, Missouri, to Ivan Slaughter Sr. and Jo Dorothy (Squires) Slaughter on February 12th, 1921. The young couple had just graduated from The University of Missouri and bought equipment and a farm with an enormous mortgage. Within a few years, they had lost everything and moved to Columbia, MO, where Ivan Sr. got his master’s degree. From there they moved to Eldon, MO where he was a county extension agent. They had two more boys (Frank and Joe) and a much younger daughter (Dorothy Joann). Farming was in a state of turmoil during those years and they moved up the scale, from job to job. The family focus was to collect enough livestock and machinery to make a new start.
Ivan Jr. went to twelve schools in twelve years, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1940. He had a partial scholarship to MU and went there until 1943, when he was taken from the Army Reserves to active duty. After Officer’s Candidate School, he and Margery Hablutezel were married. The young couple moved ten times until he was discharged as a first lieutenant liaison pilot in 1946. They then moved to the farm they lived on for all of their married life.
Ivan started teaching in Pleasant Hill schools, then transferred to Lee’s Summit. He continued teaching while farming on evenings and weekends for thirty years before retiring as a teacher, and maintained a working farm until his last days.
Ivan spent his limited free time as a 4-H leader, FFA advisor, and ecology club leader. He eagerly shared his knowledge with all: family, friends, and students. He loved to read, fish and hunt, especially coon hunt, and had some excellent dogs.
He and Margery continued their legacy with five children: Stan Slaughter (Linda); Bill Slaughter (Susan); John Slaughter (Sarah); Ella Hackney (Ed); and Mark Slaughter (Paula). They had seven grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Ivan and Margery treasured their time with family and were exceptionally proud of all of their achievements.
Ivan was a lifelong observer of both human and animal behavior – both wild and domesticated. He used a unique humor and spirit to bring love and knowledge. We as his family will miss our father but are comforted to know that his legacy will “carry on!”.
Ivan was preceded in death by his wife, Margery M. (Habluetzel) Slaughter; his parents, Ivan and Jo Dorothy Slaughter and two brothers, Joe Slaughter and Frank Slaughter.
He is survived by four sons, Stan Slaughter and wife Linda Chubbuck of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Bill Slaughter and wife Susan of Skidmore, Missouri, John Slaughter and wife Sarah of Clovis, California and Mark Slaughter and wife Paula of Marshfield, Missouri; one daughter, Ella Hackney and husband Ed of Greenwood, Missouri; one sister, Joann Kennedy of Liberal, Missouri; Seven grandchildren, Sixteen great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.
Cremation has been accorded. Services will be held at a later date.
71 Messages
Ivan Slaughter was one of my favorite high school teachers. He had great humor and great intellect. God Bless his family.
I am very sorry for your great loss. Mr. Slaughter was a great man and a great teacher. He still is my favorite teacher.
Wonderful teacher, mentor, and why went I fell in love with Entomology …….wont ever forget his laugh!
If there ever was a man who never saw a bad day, it would be Ivan Slaughter. Living through the hard times, depression, WW II, the trying times of farming–you can bet he never flinched. Certainly a man of strong faith, we can all learn from his example. My sincere sympathy to all the Slaughters.
I’m sorry for your family, I just saw this today and didn’t know Ivan had passes away. I was one of his students and also took taxidermy classes w him from at the Kansas city museum from the taxidermist Tom Duvall, as well as went coon hunting w him many times in and after high school. Ivan had a very positive impact on my life and I spent hours w him in the woods listening to his stories. He was a great man and father w a sense of humor that was second to none. We traded guns and knives for over 30 yrs. Nothing was more exciting for a kid to stop by his house never knowing where you were gonna end up or when you were gonna leave. He was a great listener and talked me thru a few problems that I thought was the end of the world. One day I just quit stopping by, I dont know why and I wish I hadn’t. Prayers to your family as you go thru this grieving period. I wish you all the best
So sorry for your loss. I loved Mr. Slaughter in biology. He made learning fun.
I just learned that Mr. Slaughter died, and wanted to express my belated condolences. He was my science teacher at Lee’s Summit High School (1976 graduate,) and I remember him fondly. He was an excellent teacher, and made a lasting impression on me. He was so interesting, kind, and full of good humor. I’ll never forget one time when the Ecology Club went on a trip to Swan Lake to see eagles at sunrise. We left early in the morning from the LSHS parking lot, and Mr. Slaughter drove the bus!! We weren’t lucky enough to see the eagles, but we had so much fun.. The highway along part of the way was very hilly, and I remember him teasing us by driving really fast up and down the hills to give us a roller coaster ride. Ha ha! He was truly one of a kind and I’m so glad to have these memories of him. He probably never even knew how much he affected so many people. I’m sure your memories are comforting you now, and I wish you much consolation.
I’m sorry for your loss. My mom and dad, Pat and Arvin Briggs went to church with Ivan and Marge for years. Mom taught with Ivan for years as well in Lee’s Summit. Ivan was a wonderful man. He will be missed.
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